Paul Klee

Paul Klee (1879-1940), a Swiss, showed both musical and artistic talent as a child, but eventually decided to study art, moving to Munich to the Fine Arts Academy. He first exhibited in Berne in 1910; two years later he showed work with the Blaue Reiter. A visit to Tunisia with his friend Macke influenced his approach to colour, and his interest in Cubism, together with a fascination with children's and primitive art, led to the development of a very personal and distinctive style. Klee taught at the Bauhaus from 1921 to 1931. Appointed Professor of Fine Arts in Dusseldorf, he moved there but in 1933 his art was denounced by the Nazis and he had to flee to his birthplace in Berne, fortunately escaping with many paintings, drawings and writings intact. He continued to paint until his death in 1940. Prints by Klee in stock at NZ’s largest art print store are imported from the US and Italy.